88R26785 TBO-D
By: Flores S.R. No. 506
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Members of Atascosa County law enforcement agencies
demonstrated tremendous courage in the line of duty on June 2, 2022,
when they risked their lives to stop an escaped prisoner and
suspected murderer from fleeing the country; and
WHEREAS, The suspect was accused of killing a family of five
in Centerville after he escaped from a prison transport bus on
May 12; when Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward received word
that the suspect could be headed to the area in an apparent attempt
to reach the U.S.-Mexico border, he quickly mobilized his deputies
for a large-scale manhunt, which involved constables and officers
from the Pleasanton, Jourdanton, Poteet, and Lytle Police
Departments, as well as DPS troopers and U.S. Marshals; and
WHEREAS, Officers from these various agencies were posted at
all highways and major roads headed south, and just before 10 p.m.,
Atascosa County Animal Control chief Henry Dominguez reported that
he and a deputy sheriff had sighted the suspect, who was driving a
stolen pickup truck and was armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a
pistol; Officer Dominguez was instructed to follow the suspect,
while other personnel drove ahead of the fleeing suspect to
intercept him and deployed spikes in his path to puncture the
vehicle's tires; and
WHEREAS, Before reaching the edge of Jourdanton, Jourdanton
Police Chief Eric Kaiser successfully spiked all four of the
vehicle's tires as the suspect attempted to evade law enforcement
by driving into a field; the suspect fired his rifle at oncoming
deputies before losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a
utility pole and then a fence; after exiting the vehicle with a
rifle in hand, the suspect was shot and killed, bringing his 22-day
crime spree to an end; and
WHEREAS, The exceptional bravery displayed by the Atascosa
County law enforcement officers was met with an outpouring of
gratitude from the community, and Sheriff Soward awarded
commendations to 14 officers; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Atascosa County law enforcement
agencies went to heroic lengths to protect their community and
prevent further violence, and in so doing, they exemplified the
highest ideals of their profession; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature
hereby commend the officers in Atascosa County for their role in
stopping an escaped convict and suspected murderer and extend to
them sincere appreciation for their dedicated service; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the law enforcement units across Atascosa County as an
expression of high regard by the Texas Senate.